GB2195301A

GB2195301A - Motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2195301A
Application number: GB08622903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Joseph Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-23
Filing date: 1986-09-23
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-23
Also published as: GB8622903D0; GB2195301B

Abstract

A motorised adaptor unit is disclosed for use with manually propelled vehicles, e.g. a road marking machine, the adaptor unit comprising a platform 1 upon which the operator can stand or sit, means 2 for coupling the platform to the rear of the vehicle and transmitting forward thrust, ground engaging means 3 supporting the platform 1 and a power unit, e.g. petrol engine or electric motor 4 mounted on the platform 1, controlled by the controls 6 and 7, and connected to the drive wheels 3 thereby to propel the vehicle. Optionally provided is a back rest 5 against which the operator can lean. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles This invention relates to a motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles, particularly but not exclusively, manually propelled road marking machines.

Road marking machines are known which comprise a manually propelled wheeled vehicle on which is mounted the apparatus for applying road markings, e.g. white or yellow lines, to the road surface. Such apparatus tends to be heavy, particularly when the paint reservoir is full, so that manually propelling the machine can be tiring. Other manually propelled vehicles, such as lawn mowers, rotavators etc., often have a similar disadvantage.

According to the present invention, a motorised adaptor unit is provided for propelling such vehicles, the adaptor unit comprising aplatform upon which an operator can stand, or sit, means, preferably involving a universal type coupling, for coupling the platform to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle for the transmission thereto of forward thrust, a ground engaging wheel or wheels for supporting the platform in a horizontal position-to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle, and a power unit mounted on the platform for driving said wheel or wheels, thereby to propel said vehicle.

Preferably the motorised adaptor unit is in the form of a motorised two-wheeled flat trailer for attachment to the rear of the vehicle.

The power unit mounted on the platform may be of any suitable kind, e.g. petrol engine or electric motor, but is preferably a twostroke petrol engine coupled to the road wheels of the adaptor unit via an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive. Suitable controls will, of course, be provided to enable the operator to control the power unit whilst sitting or standing on the platform. When the preferred infinitely variable hydrostatic drive is provided, control is preferably achieved by a three-position foot pedal, which enables the unit to be driven forwardly or in reverse, or held in neutral, by means of the one control.

Separate braking may or may not be provided to the ground engaging wheels of the adaptor unit according to need.

As will be appreciated, the device of the present invention is simply a motorised pusher unit on which the operator of the normally manually propelled vehicle can stand or sit, thereby converting the manually propelled vehicle into a self-propelled vehicle. Steering is effected simply by steering the normally manually propelled vehicle from the platform, and causing the vehicle to pivot relative to the trailer about the coupling between the two.

The principle of the present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, a normally manually propelled vehicle such as a road marking machine is shown diagrammatically in outline.

Attached to the rear of the vehicle is a motorised adaptor unit according to this invention, again illustrated somewhat diagrammatically. This unit generally comprises a platform 1 on which the operator of the vehicle can stand (or sit) in a position to reach the handle and/or other controls, if any, of the vehicle, e.g. the normally manually propelled road marking machine. At its forward end the adaptor unit is releasably connected to the rear of the vehicle, preferably by means of a universal type coupling 2, i.e. a coupling allowing the platform to pivot freely in all directions relative to the vehicle which is to be propelled, and which coupling is designed to transmit forward thrust from the adaptor unit to the vehicle.

The rear of the platform is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels 3 driven by a power unit, illustrated diagrammatically by the box 4, e.g. a small two-stroke petrol engine, and which is connected to the ground wheels by a suitable drive, not shown, for example, and preferably, an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive.

Also mounted on the platform 1 is an upright support member 5, which can also act as a back rest for the operator standing on the platform 1, and which may also be used to mount one or more of the controls for the power unit 4, e.g. a throttle lever 6. A further control for the power unit is provided in the form of a rocker foot pedal 7 mounted on the platform and which, via the infinitely variable hydrostatic drive, can be used to control the forward or rearward motion of the adaptor unit, and hence the whole vehicle.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made in the embodiment above described, both in its design and application to other normally manually propelled vehicles, and without departing from the essential concept of the invention as above defined.

1. A motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles, comprising a platform upon which an operator can stand or sit in a position to reach the control(s) of the manually propelled vehicle, means for detachably coupling the platform to the rear of the vehicle for the transmission thereto of forward thrust, a ground engaging wheel or wheels for supporting the platform in a horizontal position to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle, and a power unit mounted on said platform for driving said wheel or wheels, thereby to propel said vehicle.

2. A motorised adaptor unit according to claim 1 in the form of a motorised two

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles This invention relates to a motorised adaptor unit for manually propelled vehicles, particularly but not exclusively, manually propelled road marking machines. Road marking machines are known which comprise a manually propelled wheeled vehicle on which is mounted the apparatus for applying road markings, e.g. white or yellow lines, to the road surface. Such apparatus tends to be heavy, particularly when the paint reservoir is full, so that manually propelling the machine can be tiring. Other manually propelled vehicles, such as lawn mowers, rotavators etc., often have a similar disadvantage. According to the present invention, a motorised adaptor unit is provided for propelling such vehicles, the adaptor unit comprising aplatform upon which an operator can stand, or sit, means, preferably involving a universal type coupling, for coupling the platform to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle for the transmission thereto of forward thrust, a ground engaging wheel or wheels for supporting the platform in a horizontal position-to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle, and a power unit mounted on the platform for driving said wheel or wheels, thereby to propel said vehicle. Preferably the motorised adaptor unit is in the form of a motorised two-wheeled flat trailer for attachment to the rear of the vehicle. The power unit mounted on the platform may be of any suitable kind, e.g. petrol engine or electric motor, but is preferably a twostroke petrol engine coupled to the road wheels of the adaptor unit via an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive. Suitable controls will, of course, be provided to enable the operator to control the power unit whilst sitting or standing on the platform. When the preferred infinitely variable hydrostatic drive is provided, control is preferably achieved by a three-position foot pedal, which enables the unit to be driven forwardly or in reverse, or held in neutral, by means of the one control. Separate braking may or may not be provided to the ground engaging wheels of the adaptor unit according to need. As will be appreciated, the device of the present invention is simply a motorised pusher unit on which the operator of the normally manually propelled vehicle can stand or sit, thereby converting the manually propelled vehicle into a self-propelled vehicle. Steering is effected simply by steering the normally manually propelled vehicle from the platform, and causing the vehicle to pivot relative to the trailer about the coupling between the two. The principle of the present invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing. Referring to the drawing, a normally manually propelled vehicle such as a road marking machine is shown diagrammatically in outline. Attached to the rear of the vehicle is a motorised adaptor unit according to this invention, again illustrated somewhat diagrammatically. This unit generally comprises a platform 1 on which the operator of the vehicle can stand (or sit) in a position to reach the handle and/or other controls, if any, of the vehicle, e.g. the normally manually propelled road marking machine. At its forward end the adaptor unit is releasably connected to the rear of the vehicle, preferably by means of a universal type coupling 2, i.e. a coupling allowing the platform to pivot freely in all directions relative to the vehicle which is to be propelled, and which coupling is designed to transmit forward thrust from the adaptor unit to the vehicle. The rear of the platform is supported by a pair of ground engaging wheels 3 driven by a power unit, illustrated diagrammatically by the box 4, e.g. a small two-stroke petrol engine, and which is connected to the ground wheels by a suitable drive, not shown, for example, and preferably, an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive. Also mounted on the platform 1 is an upright support member 5, which can also act as a back rest for the operator standing on the platform 1, and which may also be used to mount one or more of the controls for the power unit 4, e.g. a throttle lever 6. A further control for the power unit is provided in the form of a rocker foot pedal 7 mounted on the platform and which, via the infinitely variable hydrostatic drive, can be used to control the forward or rearward motion of the adaptor unit, and hence the whole vehicle. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made in the embodiment above described, both in its design and application to other normally manually propelled vehicles, and without departing from the essential concept of the invention as above defined. CLAIMS

2. A motorised adaptor unit according to claim 1 in the form of a motorised two wheeled flat trailer for attachment to the rear of the manually propelled vehicle, and upon which the operator can stand or sit in a position to control the vehicle when the trailer is attached thereto.

3. A motorised adaptor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for coupling the unit to the vehicle comprise a universaltype coupling.

4. A motorised adaptor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power unit mounted on the platform is a petrol engine or electric motor.

5. A motorised adaptor unit according to claim 4, wherein the power unit is a twostroke petrol engine coupled to the ground engaging wheel or wheels by means of an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive controlled by means of a three position foot pedal mounted on said platform and providing forward and reverse drives as well as a neutral position.

6. A motorised adaptor unit according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. In combination, a manually propelled vehicle and a motorised adaptor unit therefor, being an adaptor unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A combination according to claim 7, wherein the manually propelled vehicle is a road marking machine.